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Friday, February 5, 2016

Boulevard Brewing Co Visitors Center Expansion

Posted by
Jay Aber

There's exciting news out of Boulevard--they're planning another major expansion. This one isn't just another collection of massive fermenters or a new brew house to produce more beer--it's an expansion for us! They've purchased a building across from the brewery, and are planning on opening a much bigger visitors center. The new visitors center will include a larger tasting room, gift shop, and a "Beer Hall," which will serve Boulevard beer and food (can I hope for a Bob's Oktoberfest celebration??). They anticipate a grand opening towards the end of June this year.

According to the press release from Boulevard, "In 2015, Boulevard hosted almost 60,000 visitors on some 2,300 tours, turning away thousands more due to lack of space." This expansion will give them almost 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to serving visitors and hosting events. For reference, the existing gift shop & tasting room is about 2,000 square feet total. The new visitor center will occupy the two lower levels of the Skelly Oil Building. They've got a few renderings of the new building and space put together, and it looks great, even if lacking some of the character of the old tasting room.

My only hope is that they don't mothball the old tasting room. If you've never been, go down there now! It's totally open to the public and one of the coolest bars in town. Also, you can get any number of test beers on tap and, of course, The Calling IPA fresh off the line. Mmmm...making me thirsty just thinking about it.

Rendering of the new tasting bar & gift shop on the lower level.

Rendering of the planned exterior of the new visitors center. The Boulevard parking garage can be seen in the back. The main brewery building sits on the opposite side of the parking garage.

Location of the new visitors center. The main brewery building is to the west.